NUNEATON’S answer to Dr Doolittle has been hit by an animal-inflicted disease.

Geoff Grewcock, who runs the Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary from his Oaston Road home, is suffering from a lung infection - passed on to him by a pigeon.

“It has knocked me about quite a bit,” said 58-year-old Mr Grewcock. “My lungs have been badly affected and are down to about 30 per cent of their normal capacity.

“I have had my lungs washed out at hospital and doctors have also taken a biopsy, which I am now awaiting the results of before I can begin treatment.”

Mr Grewcock, who specialises in rescuing and looking after all sorts of animals, caught the infection off a pigeon which had been found and taken to his centre.

“Pigeons carry about 14 different diseases. I have handled loads of them before, without a problem. We get lots of pigeons brought to us but I have to stay away from them at the moment until I’ve been sorted out.”

“Obviously, in dealing with so many different animals all the time, you have to be a bit careful about picking up a disease - especially when they come to us often in a neglected state. But this is the first time I have ever caught anything.”

Mr Grewcock has been operating his wildlife sanctuary for eight years and relies on grants and public donations. He is currently providing a home for dozens of animals, including birds, rodents, rabbits and dogs.

One, a greyhound called Jasmine, was featured on television recently, for being a super foster-mother.

“She really is brilliant,” said Mr Grewcock. “She was brought to me by the police four years ago after being found in an ill-treated state. Since then she has become a loveable pet, with a natural aptitude for looking after other sick animals.

“Jasmine has been a mum to fox cubs, badgers, guinea pigs and puppies.

“She is now caring for a seventh-month-old roe deer, which had been found unconscious and starving in a field”